The Tigron's Leap (Milo)

[Arkahn Th'alashar]

Second Brightening of the Fourth Cycle of Pontius, Era XIII

Arkahn despised only several duties in life. Speaking to politicians was one of them. Writing letters the other. This brightening he had to do both. At least the meeting with a politician was out of the way. Minister Zhou had had some very valuable information to share with Arkahn. Information the Tigron would likely have to pay for somewhere along the path of his life should he become succesful through using said information. Now all that remained to be done was writing a letter to set the wheels in motion. Easier said than done. Already crumbled pieces of parchment littered Arkahn's modest room in the Crown Inn, testimonies to his failed attempts. He stared at the sheet of parchment before him with his one eye, scanning the lines to look for mistakes, stupidities or uneccesary information.

To His Most Imperial Excellency, Milo L'Evienne, Regent of the Allerian Empire

Please allow me to introduce myself formally through written word. My name is Arkahn Th'alashar, a former officer in the Alyssan Imperial Guard and a commanding officer of the Daltina Armed Forces and Daltina's previous before they were disbanded. Through Minister Zhou I have learned of the news that Motito Gil'dae has resigned as Minister of Defense but a cycle ago. I am not as arrogant to assume that you haven't already set your eyes upon a worthy replacement for the late Minister. However, I would hereby like to request an audience with His Most Imperial Excellency to speak of these matters should He have not chosen a replacement for Motito Gil'dae yet. Should His Most Imperial Excellency require my attendance I shall be found waiting in the Crown and Inn Tavern.

Forever in service of the Empire,

Arkahn Th'alashar

Arkahn cursed under his breath. He wasn't a writer. He could have listed the battles he had fought in, the Malice campaign, a more elaborate description of his time with the Alyssans. But what good would that have done him? A few more moments of the Regent's time wasted? No. Short, to the point and not beating around the bush. That was Arkahn, and hopefully that was what the Regent was looking for.

Arkahn quickly rolled up the letter and tied a small string around it. He didn't have a wax seal. He'd be damned if anyone would try to steal his letters and the clerks in the Imperial City would most likely read any letters that weren't written by a government official before passing it on to the Regent anyway. After a brief search he finally found a runner in the Tavern. A price was established, half of it paid up in advance. The runner would see to it that the letter would arrive at the Imperial Forum, hand it over to someone who could pass it on and finally, if all went right, it would reach the Regent in a brightening or two. The waiting had begun.

[Milo L'Evienne]

Ponutis 33, Winter of Era XIII

The next brightening, mid brightening or thereabouts, a reply arrived at the Crown Inn and Tavern; and delivered by one Gwigwyn Hurin, elder sorcerer in service to the Imperial Regent. He cut an eccentric figure, distinct from his fellows on several counts. The human was an elderly mage, aged some sixty-three patterns, standing just short of five feet, eight inches tall and portly to a noticeable degree. With ruddy cheeks, a bulbous nose and bright blue eyes besides, he’d a severely receding hairline. Though what remained was stark white, somewhat short and resistant enough to grooming that it stuck out from his head at odd angles. Bushy eyebrows were a matched shade to his hair and ever in need of a good trimming. He was flamboyant, gregarious and eccentric in the extreme, traits given away in part by his habit of matching his otherwise utilitarian black robe with a bright raspberry beret balanced atop his bald patch. He wore it this brightening in fact. As an aside, as those who spoke to would surely notice, his large nose whistled faintly with each breath taken.

And it whistled, while inquiring after a Mr. Th’alashar before putting his message into the hands of one he could be sure would see it delivered safely. A general fear where possible reprisals from crossed wizards were concerned surely came in handy, and otherwise assured a successful delivery. And of course, a mention that should Mr. Th’alashar come looking for him, Gwigyn could be found at a corner table enjoying a pint of honeyed mead. It was a small scroll, rolled tight and bound by a wide band of black ribbon, further marked by the Imperial seal.

To the attention of Mr. Arkahn Th’alashar

Good brightening sir,

Though it has been some time passed now, I recall that we met briefly once in New Coldmoon at a ball hosted by the lady Cassidy Al’lende. It is an unexpected pleasure to hear from you again. His Excellency, lord Zhou is indeed correct that lord Gil’dae has recently, officially resigned his position as Minister of War, Imperial Marshal. Your previous experience speaks very well of your service and loyalty to the Empire and as no doubt you are aware, such a post as this makes it ever important that I enlist an experienced and dedicated individual to carry on the duties of the Ministry of War.

While I am currently studying the suitability of several candidates, I have made no decision as yet regarding any in particular. In light of this Mr. Th’alashar, I would be pleased to personally meet with you and discuss your interest in more detail.

I am currently outside of the capitol city with my family, but always in touch with concerns within the Imperial Forum and beyond. Given the importance of your inquiry, I would be pleased to meet with you either in my current location, or in my private offices in the Imperial Palace if you prefer. If you have no objections to travel by teleportation, the gentleman who awaits your reply can transport you at your earliest convenience, and return you to a location of your choice afterwards. Mr. Gwigwyn Hurin is prepared to do that at this time, or a later date if this brightening is not convenient. If you would prefer a meeting in my offices in the Palace, Mr. Hurin has been given my permission to arrange such a meeting and deliver me temporarily to the Imperial Palace.

I look forward to meeting with you Mr. Th’alashar.

Best Regards,

Milo L’Evienne/Regent

[Arkahn Th'alashar]

Arkahn had been awaiting an answer to his letter. He just hadn't expected it to arrive so soon. He accepted the letter from the messenger without a word through a slightly opened door and closed it again quickly, sitting down on his bed to read it. The Regent was interested. Good news. Very good news. With a determined look in his one eye Arkahn jumped up from his bed, walked to a closet and retrieved a set of clothes identical to what he was wearing, but cleaner. With military efficiency Arkahn quickly donned the dark blue, loose fitting trousers and tucked them into his polished black leather boots. Quickly his fingers danced across the rows of brass buttons on his military style jacket, buttoning it all the way up to the top button which closed just below the chin. For a moment he glanced at himself in a mirror. Vanity wasn't a soldier's quality, but one needed to look representable. Carefully Arkahn adjusted his eyepatch a little to cover more scar tissue around his left eye. For a moment he hesitated as he looked at his belt that carried the sheath to his Alyssan sabre. No soldier went walking along without his weapon, yet Arkahn wasn't a soldier anymore. Still, he couldn't help feeling naked without it. After a moment's doubt he grabbed the belt, put it around his waist and sheathed his sword, looping a piece of string around the crossguard that would prevent him from drawing it quickly. It would have to do. No man in his right mind would expect a soldier to come unarmed. The Tigron took a deep breath, slipped his large hands into black leather gloves and opened the door.

When he got to the downstairs area of the Inn there was the usual crowd, but after several inquires the Tigron was pointed towards the man he was looking for. Gwigwyn Hurin, a mage. Slowly Arkahn approached the man's table, handing him the letter carefully. "I am Arkahn Th'alashar and I accept the Regent's invitation to meet him right now. I'm ready to leave when you are." Arkahn's sentences were short and to the point as he stood before the mage, his back straight. He'd wait patiently, even if Gwigwyn wanted to finish his mead quickly. A few more moments didn't matter.

[Milo L'Evienne]

Waste not, want not, was what Gwigwyn always said. And true to form, the old sorcerer never wasted a drop. But where the consumption of spirits was concerned, he was uncommonly efficient-He had plenty of practice. No sooner did the tigron introduce himself, than Gwigwyn finished off his mead in one swallow, adjusted his brightly colored beret on his bald spot and stood with a goodly amount of fanfare, nose whistling all the while. ”Ahh, good brightening Mr. Th’alashar. Gwigwyn Hurin sir, at your service,” the eccentric old man added with a flourish of his hand, like a preamble to a bow that never happened.

”I must say the Regent will be pleased that you are able to attend this particular brightening. Rest assured our destination is within the boundaries of the Empire, but for security reasons and the privacy of the Regent and his family, I may not reveal the specifics of their private retreat. If it should please you, we might depart from outside the inn?” Vanishing, the two of them, from amidst a drinking crowd would surely have the patrons telling some tales when they stumbled home to their wives at the end of the brightening, though many of the latter would surely put it down to drunkenness altogether.

And so once having Arkahn’s agreement, Gwigwyn led the way outside the Crown Inn and Tavern, strolling away till he found a spot out of the way of passersby. ”I don’t know if you have traveled via teleportation before, Mr. Th’alashar,” the old sorcerer said while laying a hand on the tigron’s shoulder, ”but if you are not accustomed to this means of travel, you may experience a very brief bout of motion sickness immediately upon our arrival. Other than that, safest means of travel statistically speaking. I’ve never lost a one yet sir.” Talkative fellow, Gwigwin. But having said so, the old man took a moment to slip into clara before the air in front of the pair wavered, then a step forward had them off to their destination.

ooc: new thread

[Milo L'Evienne]

Ponutis 35, Winter of Era XIII

Just two brightenings later as promised, mid morning in fact, Gwygwin Hurin appeared outside the Crown Inn and Tavern, simple black robe neatly arranged and raspberry beret fixed atop his head a jaunty angle. He entered as last time, both approaching the bar to enquire after the recipient of his message, while otherwise scanning the tavern for a likely corner table where he might chase the chill from his old bones. And in the elder mage’s mind, and according to that bulbous nose and ruddy cheeks, there was only one way to properly see that done. Nonetheless and soon enough he found himself having a word with the reception so one Arkahn Th’alashar might be hailed down from his rooms. In his hand was a scroll similar to last time, to be handed over when the tigron arrived.

As for where Gwygwin could be located, much the same as last the pair had met, installed in a cozy corner with a generous mug of honeyed mead in hand message slipped back into the folds of his sleeve. It would, of course, be placed into the tigron’s hand as soon as he made his arrival known. Only then would the message be relayed, along with a second scroll that the sorcerer would produce shortly after.

Secrets : Mr. Th’alashar, Good brightening sir. After reviewing the details of our conversation two brightenings past, I have concluded that you are indeed the man I would see fill the post of the Minister of War. I was most impressed by what I heard and observed, and further feel that your loyal service will greatly benefit the Empire. In light of the current command structure put in place by lord Gil’dae shortly before his resignation, and in a hope to enable a smooth transition to office and subsequent restructuring by yourself, I am at this time, appointing you to both the posts of Minister of War, and in addition, Imperial Marshal ad interim. I do this so that once taking office, you may restructure the Ministry in such a way as you have described to me, of which I approve, and thus remove yourself of the title of Imperial Marshal so to appoint another that you deem fit to that position. This will further allow the Imperial Exchequer, lord Zhou, proper notice so that he might better redesign the budget designated for the Ministry of War, and ease communications with officers in the field meantime. Lord Zhou is at this time, I believe, already working on the budget for funding of the Imperial Classis. I should tell you that the newly appointed Imperial Admiral, Alexis Sapientia, is a young man I am quite familiar with, having known him for several eras. I have found him to be capable, ever dedicated and possessed of a sharp intellect. Mr. Hurin has been instructed to present to you your official writ of office so that you may take your new offices at your earliest convenience and begin your service, and the restructuring the Ministry of War. While my family and I will be returning to Alleria Prime in mid Melora, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time should it prove beneficial. Once the plan for restructuring is completed, please submit it to my offices so that I may add my signature, thus adding my official approval for the benefit of the Imperial Exchequer. Meantime, I expect you will find an outline of the current budget in the offices of the Imperial Marshal to allow ease of continued operation. I expect you may also find files related to the Mage Corps, a division also under the direction of the Ministry of War. Again, your Imperial Excellency, I believe the Empire will benefit greatly from your service, and I look forward to meeting with you again soon. Best Regards, Milo L’Evienne/Imperial Regent to the Allerian Empire

[Arkahn Th'alashar]

Arkahn had been awaiting this moment anxiously. Two brightenings he'd spent virtually locked in his room, planning, writing, re-writing and discarding plans. The moment he'd get the word he'd have to be ready. Ready to restructure the Ministry of War or to throw away all his ideas and find a new way of earning a living. It turned out to be the first. The Tigron was disturbed in his trail of thought by a knocking on his door, a servant from the Inn telling him a man was awaiting him downstairs. Quickly Arkahn smoothed out his clothes, checked himself in the mirror, donned his swordbelt and hurried down. Gwygwin was found in almost the exact location he had been last time. Arkahn liked that. At least the man was consequent. As the Tigron sat down he was handed a letter. He read it once, re-read it, put it down, opened the writ and then re-read the letter once more. It was true. He was as of now Minister Th'alashar, supreme commander of all Alleria's Imperial Forces. The news still had to hit him full force as he looked at Gwygwin. "Thank you Master Hurin, and please extend my gratitude to His Imperial Excellency." The Tigron was quite short on words, not because he didn't feel like talking but because he couldn't quite grasp what had happened. He'd prepared for it, but reading it black and white in this letter held a power he couldn't have fathomed. "If that is all, Master Hurin, I would like to take my leave and start my work right now."

[Milo L'Evienne]

The great thing about Gwygwin was that he was always easy to find. Long as duty didn’t forbid it, and sometimes when it did, the elder mage was most likely located where food and drink were abundant. Of course, given the current location was the Crown Inn and Tavern, that could be anywhere on the premises. But he’d a fondness for corners and had them whenever he could. And so he’d finished off the last of his mead in one swallow, stood and produced both letter and writ with a flourish, each pulled from the folds of his robes.

”That I will, Mr…ahhh,” he corrected himself with a wide and jolly grin, ”Your Imperial Excellency, lord Arkahn Th’alashar. And may I offer my own congratulations as well. But yes indeed, sir. The Regent merely asks that I assure you that if you have need of anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact him. And I bid you good brightening, sir,” he added then with a tip of his beret, dropped a crown or two on the table and was off again, out the doors and back to the island retreat.